Top 15 most hated car mods

From headlight eyelashes to lowered suspension, new research has revealed the most disliked car modifications amongst drivers.

According to the survey by car buying comparison site, carwow, many of the mods can knock hundreds of pounds off a vehicle’s resale value.

Other hated car modifications include fluffy dice and novelty horns, while ‘wonky wheels’ decrease a car’s value the most (£310.71), followed by lowered suspension (£286.29) and a modified exhaust (£239.08).

Top 15 most hated car mods

1. Eyelashes on headlights- 32.25%
2. Fluffy dice – 26.41%
3. Modified exhaust – 26.01%
4. Novelty horns – 25.76%
5. Christmas antlers – 22.97%
6. Beaded seat covers – 19.02%
7. Lowered suspension – 18.42%
8. Car stickers/ bumper stickers – 17.82%
9. Underbody neon lights – 17.32%
10. Wonky wheels – 17.27%
11. Novelty decals – 16.18%
12. Car flags – 16.08%
13. Dashboard accessories – 15.08%
14. Modified sound system/speakers – 14.08%
15. Custom numberplate – 12.03%

“We like to think we know cars pretty well, but when it comes to different car modifications, not everyone may see eye to eye,” said carwow’s Iain Read.

“Eyelashes on headlights and fluffy dice might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re modifying your car in such a way that it invalidates your insurance or devalues your car, we’d recommend you think twice.

“That said, we were pretty surprised to see some people would actually try and knock money off if a car had something as easily removable as Christmas antlers!”

Top 15 mods that decrease a car’s value the most 

1. ‘Wonky wheels’ – £310.71
2. Lowered suspension – £286.29
3. Modified exhaust – £239.08
4. Custom paint job or wrap – £233.44
5. Novelty decals – £226.59
6. Underbody neon lights – £206.15
7. Spinning rims – £196.31
8. Novelty horns – £190.60
9. Bucket seats/racing seats – £187.33
10. Colourful alloys – £186.36
11. Spoilers – £183.91
12. Custom interior – £175.17
13. Eyelashes on headlights – £169.96
14. Tinted headlights – £165.85
15. Christmas antlers – £160.72

At the other end of the scale, the research also reveals which upgrades and add-ons are the most coveted by potential buyers, and which would increase the value of a car the most.

Top 15 upgrades and add-ons that increase a car’s value the most 

1. Air conditioning – 36.95%
2. Parking sensors – 36.75%
3. Reversing/ parking camera – 33.15%
4. Integrated Sat Nav – 31.67%
5. Heated seats – 27.24%
6. Phone charger/USB port – 25.76%
7. Alloy wheels – 20.84%
8. Cruise control – 20.69%
9. Leather upholstery – 18.52%
10. DAB radio – 17.64%
11. Bluetooth – 17.64%
12. Upgraded audio system and speakers – 15.67%
13. Heated door mirrors – 13.84%
14. High performance tyres-13.45%
15. Dusk and rain sensors – 13.10%